2026 Guide

Don't Let Your License Expire

Every state requires continuing education (CE) to renew your real estate license. See the requirements for all 50 states — hours, renewal periods, and what you need to know.

States Covered

12-90

CE Hours Range

1-4 yr

Renewal Cycles

How Continuing Education Works

Three simple steps to keep your license active

Know Your Deadline

Your renewal deadline is based on when you received your license. Most states send renewal notices 60-90 days before your license expires. Mark your calendar and don't wait until the last minute.

Complete Required Hours

Take CE courses from state-approved providers. Most courses are available online and can be completed at your own pace. Some states require specific mandatory topics in addition to elective hours.

Submit & Renew

After completing your CE hours, submit your renewal application and fee to your state's real estate commission. Most states allow online renewal. Keep certificates of completion for your records.

CE Requirements by State

All 50 states listed alphabetically with CE hours and renewal periods

State	CE Hours Required	Renewal Period	Hours/Year
Alabama	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Alaska	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Arizona	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Arkansas	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
California	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Colorado	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Connecticut	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Delaware	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Florida	14 hours	Every 2 years	~7 hrs/yr	Details
Georgia	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Hawaii	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Idaho	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Illinois	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Indiana	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Iowa	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Kansas	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Kentucky	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Louisiana	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Maine	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Maryland	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Massachusetts	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Michigan	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Minnesota	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Mississippi	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Missouri	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Montana	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Nebraska	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Nevada	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
New Hampshire	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
New Jersey	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
New Mexico	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
New York	22 hours	Every 2 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
North Carolina	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
North Dakota	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Ohio	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Oklahoma	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Oregon	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Pennsylvania	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Rhode Island	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
South Carolina	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
South Dakota	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Tennessee	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Texas	18 hours	Every 2 years	~9 hrs/yr	Details
Utah	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Vermont	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Virginia	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Washington	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
West Virginia	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Wisconsin	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details
Wyoming	45 hours	Every 4 years	~11 hrs/yr	Details

Alabama45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Alaska45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Arizona45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Arkansas45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

California45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Colorado45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Connecticut45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Delaware45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Florida14 hrs

Renewal

Every 2 yrs

Per Year

~7 hrs/yr

Georgia45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Hawaii45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Idaho45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Illinois45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Indiana45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Iowa45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Kansas45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Kentucky45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Louisiana45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Maine45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Maryland45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Massachusetts45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Michigan45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Minnesota45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Mississippi45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Missouri45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Montana45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Nebraska45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Nevada45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

New Hampshire45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

New Jersey45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

New Mexico45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

New York22 hrs

Renewal

Every 2 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

North Carolina45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

North Dakota45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Ohio45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Oklahoma45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Oregon45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Pennsylvania45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Rhode Island45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

South Carolina45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

South Dakota45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Tennessee45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Texas18 hrs

Renewal

Every 2 yrs

Per Year

~9 hrs/yr

Utah45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Vermont45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Virginia45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Washington45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

West Virginia45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Wisconsin45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

Wyoming45 hrs

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Per Year

~11 hrs/yr

CE requirements are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with your state's real estate commission.

Most Common CE Topics

Topics you'll encounter across most state CE requirements

Agency Law & Fiduciary Duties

Fair Housing & Anti-Discrimination

Ethics & Professional Standards

Contract Law Updates

Property Management

Environmental Regulations

Real Estate Finance & Lending

State-Specific Law Updates

Important Note

Many states require specific mandatory topics (like Fair Housing or Ethics) that must be included in your CE hours. Elective hours alone may not satisfy your state's requirements. Check your state's specific mandatory topic list.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don't complete my CE hours on time?

If you miss your renewal deadline, your license may become inactive or expired. Most states offer a grace period (30-90 days) where you can renew with a late fee. After the grace period, you may need to reapply for licensure, which could require additional education or retaking the state exam.

Can I complete CE requirements online?

Yes, most states allow online CE courses from approved providers. Online courses offer flexibility to study at your own pace and complete requirements from anywhere. Some states may require a portion of CE hours to be completed in-person or through live webinars.

Do CE hours transfer between states?

Generally, CE hours do not transfer between states. Each state has its own approved course list, required topics, and approved providers. If you hold licenses in multiple states, you'll need to complete CE requirements for each state separately.

How much does continuing education cost?

CE course costs vary by state and provider, typically ranging from $50-$200 per renewal cycle. Online courses tend to be cheaper than in-person classes. Some brokerages cover CE costs for their agents as a benefit.

What topics are covered in continuing education?

Common CE topics include fair housing, agency law, ethics, contract updates, property management, environmental regulations, and state-specific law changes. Most states require certain mandatory topics plus elective hours you can choose based on your interests.

Is continuing education the same as pre-license education?

No, they are different. Pre-license education is required before you can take the licensing exam. Continuing education (CE) is required after you're licensed to maintain and renew your license. CE courses tend to be shorter and focused on updates and professional development.

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